X-Message-Number: 12369 Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 09:00:58 -0400 From: Brook Norton <> Subject: CryoNet #12366 - #12368 Bob Ettinger wrote: >In terms of near-future, practical measures, if you or a family member are terminal and want to initiate cryopreservation, my suggestion is as follows. Die in a state that does not have a law against suicide (even though it may have a law against assisted suicide, as in Michigan). Make prior arrangements with the Medical Examiner, and have him or a representative present when the patient (unassisted) commits suicide by an appropriate method. Obtain the Medical Examiner's prior assurance that he will sign the death certificate and waive autopsy.....I'm not saying that locating a cooperative Medical Examiner will be easy, but it MIGHT be possible, if handled carefully. Robert Ettinger Cryonics Institute Immortalist Society< I was surprised to hear that Bob considers suicide without autopsy a possibility today. I had always dismissed the suicide option because I was under the impression that suicide ALWAYS carried a high risk of autopsy. I got this impression from informal messages on Cryonet. If it really is possible to commit suicide without autopsy by using a cooperative Medical Examiner, this seems extremely important to me. Another observation is that your suspension may need to be funded in some other way besides life insurance (but I'm not sure; I seem to recall sometimes there is a two-year only prohibition on suicide after the policy starts, but I don't really know). Has anyone of sound mind ever been suspended after committing suicide for the purpose of suspension as opposed to depression? I'm 39, and like John Grigg, I hope to have a more open political environment by the time my health is in serious decline. I recently witnessed the slow decline and death of a relative with Alzheimer's. It was a tradgedy from every perspective. And its the kind of thing that could grab any of us and destroy our brain before we can be suspended. I am going to try to learn more about suicide without autopsy. Brook Norton CI member Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=12369